System and methods for device control

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to device control. In one embodiment, a method for device control includes displaying a user interface including one or more graphical elements on a display of the device and presenting a notification window in the user interface as an overlay to the one or more graphical elements. The notification window can be displayed to include one or more options to control operation of the device (e.g., confirm, cancel, etc.). The method can also include detecting a touch command relative to the display, wherein the touch command is a directional command correlated by the device to one of a plurality of options to control device operation in response to the notification window and controlling operation of the device based on the direction of the touch command. Another embodiment is directed to a device configured to control operation based on a direction of touch command.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/183,613 titled SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR A USER INTERFACE AND DEVICE OPERATION filed on Jun. 23, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/184,476 titled SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR A USER INTERFACE AND DEVICE OPERATION filed on Jun. 25, 2015, the content of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices, and more particularly to device control.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices and personal communication devices are generally used for multiple purposes. These devices are often configured with particular forms of control, such as the inclusion of hard and soft buttons. With development of applications and device capabilities, there exists a need for device configurations that improve performance and resolve drawbacks of the conventional configurations. One area where improvements are needed is for device control configurations.

Regarding conventional methods, devices may require selection of a particular element. In some instances, the display element is difficult to select based on the size of a device, the display location of the element, a requirement for scrolling to the element, or even a requirement to select a button of the device. In other instances, elements may be hard to select due to configuration of content not intended for display on a device, such as non-mobile network sites designed for computer viewing.

Presentation of selection prompts is common. However, conventional methods of device control relative to the selection prompt is limited. With some configurations, it may be difficult to close or dismiss the selection prompt. There is a desire to provide additional control functionality for devices, and for controllability with respect to presented selection prompts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed and claimed herein are methods for device control and device configurations. One embodiment is directed to a method for device control includes displaying, by a device, a user interface including one or more graphical elements on a display of the device, presenting, by the device, a notification window in the user interface as an overlay to the one or more graphical elements, wherein the notification window is displayed to include one or more options to control operation of the device, and detecting, by the device, a touch command relative to the display, wherein the touch command is a directional command, and wherein a direction of the touch command is correlated by the device to one of a plurality of options to control device operation in response to the notification window. The method also includes controlling, by the device, operation of the device based on the direction of the touch command.

In one embodiment, the user interface includes presentation of at least one of an application and device control screen.

In one embodiment, the notification window includes a confirm selection and a cancel selection.

In one embodiment, the touch command is associated with position of display for the notification window.

In one embodiment, the touch command is non-overlapping to the position of display for the notification window.

In one embodiment, the touch command is a first of two opposing directions for device control.

In one embodiment, controlling operation of the device includes closing the display window from presentation when a swipe command is detected in a first direction.

In one embodiment, controlling operation of the device includes selecting an option to proceed with an operation indicated in the display window for swipe command detected in a direction assigned to confirm.

In one embodiment, the method also includes presenting a follow-up notification window based on the direction of the touch command.

In one embodiment, the method includes updating the display to transition the notification window out from the user interface and presenting a graphical representation of the selected command during the updating.

Another embodiment is directed to a device including a display and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is configured to control display of a user interface including one or more graphical elements on the display, present a notification window in the user interface as an overlay to the one or more graphical elements, wherein the notification window is displayed to include one or more options to control operation of the device, and detect a touch command relative to the display, wherein the touch command is a directional command, and wherein a direction of the touch command is correlated by the device to one of a plurality of options to control device operation in response to the notification window. The controller is also configured to control operation of the device based on the direction of the touch command.

Other aspects, features, and techniques will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the following detailed description of the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, objects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a graphical representation of device control according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 1B depicts a graphical representation of device control according to one or more other embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts a process for device control according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts a simplified diagram of a device according to one or more embodiments;

FIGS. 4A-4C depict graphical representations of device control according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 depicts a graphical representation of device control according to one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 6 depicts a graphical representation of device operation according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Overview and Terminology

One aspect of the disclosure is directed to improving control of a device. In one embodiment, a process is provided for presenting a user interface and providing a command configuration for interaction with displayed elements based on directional touch commands. In addition, a control mechanism is provided for interaction across an operating system platform and applications of the device. In that fashion, a global control input is provided for a device to allow for a command to be executed across applications and the device operating system. In contrast to limiting display element interaction to require selection of a particular item, touch commands or swipe dialogs are provided for interaction with displayed notifications, such as notification windows, messages, alerts, etc. Control features discussed herein allow for commands directed to notifications to be “swipeable” to allow for single hand use.

Methods and device configurations are provided for touch command device control. In one embodiment, swipe dialogs relate to touch commands with one or more pre-assigned directions. The touch command directions are pre-assigned to options of a notification message. In one embodiment, touch commands are configured to provide swipe dialogs for Yes/No instances. According to another embodiment, touch commands are configured to provide interaction with a series of notification messages and/or multiple options. Swipe dialog features can also provide a swipe system that does not require selection of the desired action displayed and can provide an additional and/or alternative configuration for closing notifications.

As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” shall mean one or more than one. The term “plurality” shall mean two or more than two. The term “another” is defined as a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having” are open ended (e.g., comprising). The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” “an embodiment,” or similar term means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner on one or more embodiments without limitation.

Exemplary Embodiments

Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1A-1B depict graphical representations of device control according to one or more embodiments. According to one embodiment, a device is configured to detect a touch command and control operation of the device associated with a displayed notification window. Thus, in contrast to requiring a section of the display window, the device can provide functionality that allows for handling of the notification in one or more ways based on interactions with a display of the device. As will be discussed herein, touch commands way be associated with the displayed notification. In other embodiments, touch commands are relative to a display area different from the display position of the notification.

In FIG. 1A depicts a graphical representation of device control for device 100. Device 100 includes display 105, which is configured for touch operation. According to one embodiment, device 100 presents notification 110. Notification 110 may be a pop up window, notification window, or display message presented by an operating system and/or application of device 100. In certain embodiments, notification 110 can include one or more options or selections to direct operation. By way of example, notification 110 can include selectable elements to approve an operation and/or canceling an operation. FIG. 1A also depicts a touch command 115 input by user 120. Touch command 115 is shown for illustration, the position of the directional arrow for touch command 115 represents an exemplary direction of a command, the position of which can be located at one or more positions on display 105. In that fashion, touch command 115 does not need to overlay notification 110 or be non-overlapping to notification 110. In certain embodiments, device 100 may be configured to detect touch command 115 when the command is overlapping the display area of notification 110. In other embodiments, device 100 may be configured to detect touch command 115 when the command is non-overlapping the display area of notification 110. Based on detection of touch command 115 and the direction of touch command 115, device 100 controls operation. As such, device 100 provides swipe dialogs for device control.

FIG. 1B depicts a graphical representation of device 100 following the detection of touch command 115 according to one or more other embodiments. According to one embodiment, following touch command 115, device 100 updated display 105 based on correlation of the touch command with options available in notification 110. By way of example, and in one embodiment, a left swipe, such as touch command 115 can be correlated to canceling (e.g., not proceeding) the function presented by notification 110. According to one embodiment, updating the presentation of display 105 following touch command 115 may include presenting a graphical representation 125 of the correlated command. According to another embodiment, display 105 may be controlled to transmission the presentation of notification 110 off of the screen such as in slide off screen associated with the direction of touch command 115 and/or fade out from display.

According to one embodiment, each notification, presented by device 100 may be interacted with by swipe dialogs 130. According to one embodiment, swipe dialogs relate to pre-assigned directions such that a touch command associated with a pre-assigned direction is associated with control command. In one embodiment, swipe dialogs 130 relate to horizontal swipe commands include a left swipe 135 to indicate cancelation of the notification action and a right swipe 140 to proceed with the operation of a notification, or vice versa.

According to another embodiment, touch command 115 may be associated with single actions or multi-stage actions. In one embodiment, device 100 may be configured to employ touch command 115 as a single action, such that a left swipe (e.g., cancel) relates to one action and a right swipe relates to another action (e.g., proceed/approve). In another embodiment, device 100 may be configured to employ touch command 115 as a multi-stage action, such that a left swipe relates to a secondary action and a right swipe relates to a primary action.

FIG. 2 depicts a process for device control according to one or more embodiments. According to one embodiment, process 200 is executed by device (e.g., device 100, etc.) to control operation based on the direction of a touch command. Process 200 includes displaying a user interface including one or more graphical elements on a display of the device at block 205. In one embodiment, the user interface includes presentation of at least one of an application and device control screen. The user interface can relate to a device operating system interface such as a mobile operating system user interface. The user interface at block 205 may relate to a graphical interface for one or more applications.

At block 210, process 200 includes presenting a notification window in the user interface by the device as an overlay to the one or more graphical elements. The notification window is displayed to include one or more options to control operation of the device, such as a confirm selection and a cancel selection.

At block 215, a touch command is detected. The touch command may be relative to the display, such as a directional command. The direction of the touch command is correlated by the device to one of a plurality of options to control device operation in response to the notification window. In one embodiment, the touch command is associated with position of display for the notification window. For example, a user may contact the display in the display area associated with the notification window, and perform a swipe in one or more pre-assigned directions (e.g., left, right, up, diagonal, etc.). In other embodiments, the touch command is non-overlapping to the position of display for the notification window. Thus, when a device displays the notification area in an area that requires two hand use, the input command may be detected in a display area within reach of the user to allow for single hand use. The touch command can be associated with a two opposite directions, wherein the detected touch command relates to first of two opposing directions for device control.

At block 220 the device controls operation based on the direction of the touch command. In one embodiment, controlling operation of the device includes closing the display window from presentation when a swipe command is detected in a first direction. In another embodiment, controlling operation of the device includes selecting an option to proceed with an operation indicated in the display window for swipe command detected in a direction assigned to confirm.

Control of operation at block 220 can also include updating the display to transition the notification window out from the user interface and presenting a graphical representation of the selected command during the updating.

Process 200 may optionally include presenting a second level message at block 225. For example, some notifications can be associated with a follow-up notification window based on the direction of the touch command to allow for the swipe dialogs to provide a second layer of control following the initial presentation of the notification message.

FIG. 3 depicts a simplified diagram of a device according to one or more embodiments. Device 300 may relate to one or more of a media player, personal communication device, tablet, and electronic device having a touch screen in general. In certain embodiments, device 300 is a standalone device. In other embodiments, device 300 is a computing device (e.g., computer, media player, etc.) configured to interoperate with another device.

As shown in FIG. 3, device 300 includes controller 305, memory 310, optional communications unit 315 and user interface 320. Controller 305 may be configured to execute code stored in memory 310 for operation of device 300 including providing directional touch control and/or swipe dialog control. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 305 is configured to control display of a user interface, present a notification window in the user interface, detect a touch command relative to a display of user interface 320 and control operation based on the direction of the touch command.

According to one embodiment, controller 305 includes a processor and/or one or more processing elements. In one embodiment, controller 305 includes one or more of hardware, software, firmware and/or processing components in general. According to one embodiment, controller 305 is configured to perform one or more processes described herein. Optional communications unit 315 is configured for wired and/or wireless communication with one or more network elements, such as servers. Memory 310 can include non-transitory RAM and/or ROM memory for storing executable instructions, operating instructions and content for display. User interface 320 can include one or more input/output interfaces for control and/or communication. In certain embodiments, device 300 relates to a device including a display as part of user interface 320.

FIGS. 4A-4C depict graphical representations of device control according to one or more embodiments. In FIG. 4A, device 400 is depicted including display 405 and notification 410. According to one embodiment, notification 410 includes one or more options 415 for proceeding with respect to the message of the notification (e.g., proceed or cancel). FIGS. 4B and 4C depict exemplary non-overlapping touch commands which are detected by device 400.

In FIG. 4B, touch command 420 relates to a left swipe to display 405. According to one embodiment, device 400 detects touch command 420 and correlates the command with the “No” option 425 of options 415. In certain embodiments, device 400 may highlight and/or update the presentation of option 425 to indicate the selection made. Device 400 may additionally transition the notification display to fade out, slide out of view and/or close out from display 405.

In FIG. 4C, touch command 430 relates to a left swipe to display 405. According to one embodiment, device 400 detects touch command 430 and correlates the command with the “YES” option 435 of options 415. In certain embodiments, device 400 may highlight and/or update the presentation of option 435 to indicate the selection made. Device 400 may additionally transition the notification display to fade out, slide out of view and/or close out from display 405.

Touch commands, such as touch command 420 and touch command 430 provide a universal method of closing a dialog notification presented by a device. As can be seen in FIGS. 4A-4C, the touch command as used herein is not limited to the notification display area, and the touch command can be applied anywhere on display 405. uses the full screen

FIG. 5 depicts a graphical representation of device control according to one or more embodiments. According to one embodiment, detection of a touch command during presentation of a notification can prompt a device to present a secondary message. Device 500 includes display 505 configured to present notification 510. Based on a touch command, notification 505 may transition off screen of display in direction 515 and device may present secondary message 520. According to one embodiment, a secondary message 520 relates to a follow up notification. Secondary message may transition onto display 505 as shown by direction 525. FIG. 5 also depicts transition of notification 510 away from the display window on release of touch command.

FIG. 6 depicts a graphical representation of device operation according to one or more embodiments. According to one embodiment, notifications may be generated on a device by one or more of a core operating system and applications of the device. Device 600 is depicted including core operating system 605, application 610 and application 615. According to one embodiment, one more of core operating system 605, application 610 and application 615 may output a notification for display by device 600. According to one embodiment, touch commands may be detected and utilized by device 600 for control regardless of the user interface presented. For example, application 610 may output a notification while the user interface for core operating system 605 is presented by the device. Alternatively, core operating system 605 may output a message for display while the user interface for application 610 is presented. During presentation of the notification, device 600 can detect touch commands for control and correlate the touch command to operation. For example, a swipe in a direction pre-assigned to cancel a notification will result in device closing the notification as output 620 of device 600. In certain embodiments, a swipe in a direction pre-assigned to approve or proceed with a notification will result in device approving the notification as output 620 of device 600.

While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with references to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the claimed embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for device control, the method comprising: displaying, by a device, a user interface including one or more graphical elements on a display of the device; presenting, by the device, a notification window in the user interface as an overlay to the one or more graphical elements, wherein the notification window is displayed to include one or more options to control operation of the device; detecting, by the device, a touch command relative to the display, wherein the touch command is a directional command, and wherein a direction of the touch command is correlated by the device to one of a plurality of options to control device operation in response to the notification window; and controlling, by the device, operation of the device based on the direction of the touch command.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes presentation of at least one of an application and device control screen.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification window includes a confirm selection and a cancel selection.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch command is associated with position of display for the notification window.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch command is non-overlapping to the position of display for the notification window.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch command is a first of two opposing directions for device control.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling operation of the device includes closing the display window from presentation when a swipe command is detected in a first direction.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling operation of the device includes selecting an option to proceed with an operation indicated in the display window for swipe command detected in a direction assigned to confirm.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a follow-up notification window based on the direction of the touch command.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the display to transition the notification window out from the user interface and presenting a graphical representation of the selected command during the updating.
 11. A device comprising: a display; and a controller coupled to the display, the controller configured to control display of a user interface including one or more graphical elements on the display; present a notification window in the user interface as an overlay to the one or more graphical elements, wherein the notification window is displayed to include one or more options to control operation of the device; detect a touch command relative to the display, wherein the touch command is a directional command, and wherein a direction of the touch command is correlated by the device to one of a plurality of options to control device operation in response to the notification window; and control operation of the device based on the direction of the touch command.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the user interface includes presentation of at least one of an application and device control screen.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the notification window includes a confirm selection and a cancel selection.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein the touch command is associated with position of display for the notification window.
 15. The device of claim 11, wherein the touch command is non-overlapping to the position of display for the notification window.
 16. The device of claim 11, wherein the touch command is a first of two opposing directions for device control.
 17. The device of claim 11, wherein controlling operation of the device includes closing the display window from presentation when a swipe command is detected in a first direction.
 18. The device of claim 11, wherein controlling operation of the device includes selecting an option to proceed with an operation indicated in the display window for swipe command detected in a direction assigned to confirm.
 19. The device of claim 11, further comprising presenting a follow-up notification window based on the direction of the touch command.
 20. The device of claim 11, further comprising updating the display to transition the notification window out from the user interface and presenting a graphical representation of the selected command during the updating. 